Bookbinding Mania 2023
4.5 x 3.5 x 5 inch
Letterpress printed on St Armand paper; wrapped by Jemma Lewis printed marbling paper.
Edition size: 20 *each edition has different marbling paper pattern, as there are no two marbling papers in the world that are the same.
This artist's book introduces some of the most basic bindery tools. Whenever I see these binding tools, I find them fascinating, even though they have become familiar. Every time I visit a bindery, I discover ancient or modern tools I have never seen before. It is also one of the reasons why the art of bookbinding has fascinated me for the past ten years. I only stumbled upon bookbinding in 2016, and it's a fantastic project that anyone, no matter their background or job, will be hooked on once they've experienced making a book of their own. As I began to learn more about bookbinding, I realized that people outside the industry are curious and in awe of the bookbinding industry. Whenever I see the curious yet apprehensive eyes of visitors at the bindery, inquiring about bookbinding tools and the process of hand binding, it reminds me vividly of my introduction to bookbinding. To capture the excitement and unease I once felt towards these ancient yet unfamiliar tools and connect with many other strangers who share an interest in the art of bookmaking, I created this artist's book: Bookbinding Mania. The process of bookbinding is intricate and highly reliant on experience. Based on my limited life experiences, I have observed that traditional industries like this often exhibit subtle exclusivity towards newcomers. However, all the bookmen and book women I have encountered have been incredibly patient with beginners. It's as if you stumble upon a cherished treasure they love, and they eagerly share their passion for this industry while appreciating new individuals' interest in it. The reason I made this artist's book was to make it enjoyable. As long as there is a moment when the viewer experiences the book and thinks, "This can also be the form of a book," it gives me satisfaction. After all, curiosity and interest are the beginning of all love for bookbinding, and the emotions that the maker has for the artist's book can be conveyed to the reader through the book itself and resonate with them.